The National tribune., 1887-04-14
CHICKAMAUGA.
Tn Important Services OF the Reserve Corps on the
Second Day.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: After reading
the account Of the battle Of Chickamanga by
Serg't Allspaugh, must say the story was well
told. No one but participant could narTate
IL SO correctly. j was there on that memora-
BILE Sunday afternoon and can bear testimony
so Ear as the outlines Of the contest are con-
ccTnod. The command TO which we belonged
Changers Reserve COrps-was on the extreme
left of our lines on Saturday, and was not
brought into the main battle on that day, al
though a severe skirmsh took place IN the
afternoon, which gave Us foreiaste OF the COM
ing crisis.
We lay on our arms all night near the Ring
gold road. Next morning we were up betimes
and ready for business, awaiting the coming OF
the enemy; but he did not make his appear
anee. A hasty breakfast was prepared aud
eaten, and soon after our command commenced
moving TO the right or toward the main battle
field. The roar Of the cannon and rattle OF
small-arms were by this time fairly under
way. We came nearer and nearer TO where the
contest was raging, and suddenly, TO our sur
prise, we came under the range OF rebel bat
terry. the shells of which played through and
about our line much 10 our discomfort. A few
men Of our regiment were wounded by the
bursting missiles-a Captain mortally. We
were soon double -quicked out of range and re-
ported shortly after 10 Gep. Thomas, who as
signed us TO part Of the line through an open
timber and along the brow Of ridge over
which our line advanced in battle order some
- or 20 rods, when the ball opened IN dead
earnest, the bullets from our own and the enc
my's guns scaling and barking the trees and
tearing up the earth and gravel around us at
fearful rate.
This havoc and destruction lasted short
time only, when we fell back 10 the top and Q
little way over the crest of the ridge. A lull
in the contest gave us short rest. Serg
AyleswOrth, OF our company, rs brave a sol
dier as even lived, and who an hour later gave
his life for his country, came 20 me and sug'
gested that We go down TO the front and bring
mp Lieut.. Bailey, who fell wounded at tho
first fire. We went but did not find the Lieu
tenant, lac having been brought back by others
We captured two of the enemy who were Sc
creted where a large tree had been upturned
forming a hole in the ground. One of them
belonged 10 Mississippi and the other TO 9
Texas regiment.
We had not more than got back TO the regi
ment when another charge of the enemy, more
/ powerful than the first, had 20 be resisted. Ii
I this we suffered the heaviest loss, but held our
/ ground. Comrade after comrade went down
! Their looks and death struggles made an I'M
! print on my mind that time can never efiace
A third aud lastly fourth charge were resist
ed In rallying the lines for the last stand
/ Gen. James B. Steedman displayed the mos
] splendid bravery, riding up and down the lines
telling the boys in the most positive terms th'
position must be held at all hazards, even a
the point Of the bayonct
just at this moment and 10 our delight tw'
! l2-round brass cannon were brought up, un
limbered and wheeled into position on our par
OF the line. They had not more than got the
places when the yells of the enemy were agair
! heard, and in less than two seconds they wer
swarming over the brow Of the ridge like s.
many thousand demons intent on their prey
Lines of blaze and liquid fire darted up in thei
front. The cannon pealed forth in thunder tones
double-shotted with canister, at short range
Then their yelling ceased and they fell back IL
confusion. The gap or outlet for Thomas
army was held, and it passed out toward Ross
willie and Chattanooga. We brought up the rea
with feeling that we had faithfully done on
duty.-F. w. GATES, First Sergeant, Co. X
ll5th H.. Girard, Ill.